Sensex rebounds over 138 points on hopes Fed will retain low rates

Snapping a two-day downtrend, the benchmark Sensex Wednesday rose over 138 points on the back of gains in IT, power and auto scrips amid positive global sentiments on hopes Fed would keep interest rates low for now.

Snapping a two-day downtrend, the benchmark Sensex Wednesday rose over 138 points on the back of gains in IT, power and auto scrips amid positive global sentiments on hopes Fed would keep interest rates low for now.

The 30-share BSE barometer closed at 26,631.29 points, up by 138.78 points, or 0.52% over last close after rising to 26,682.64 intra-day.

In the previous two sessions, the index lost 568.53 points as foreign funds and retail investors pulled off cash off the table on fears the Fed will bring forward its timetable for hiking rates as the economy picks up speed.

The 50-share NSE Nifty also rose by 42.60 points, or 0.54% to 7,975.50, ending two straights days of decline.

Global markets in Asia and Europe also rose on speculation China will give its banks some fresh loans.

"Speculation that Fed would maintain its interest rates low and boost growth for now and that China's central bank will provide the country?s big banks with fresh loans? keep markets and commodities markets globally upbeat," said Rakesh Goyal, Senior Vice President, Bonanza Portfolio.

Stocks of IT companies that get more than 60% of their revenue from the US led rebound on the bourses as buying intensified.

Infosys rose 2.29%, TCS gained 1.31% and Wipro was up 1.41%.

Dr Reddys surged 2.52%, logging the best gains among 30 constituents of Sensex.

On the other hand, 10 Sensex stocks ended down led by Cipla and Coal India.

With the improvement in the market's scenario, the mid cap and small cap indices also turned active with buying seen in several of its constituents. Midcap index was up 0.25 per cent and Smallcap rose 0.31%.